Travelers' Tales: Spain (.)

Rating:
Summary: Travelers' Tales Spain
Review: "A superb, eclectic collection that makes you feel you are actually in that amazing state of mind called Iberia."-Barnaby Conrad, author of Matador and Name Dropping

"An interesting collection of writing about Spain that will put you in the mood to visit."- Washington Times

"More than an anthology, Travelers' Tales Spain is a deftly woven tapestry of literary threads. McCauley's interweaving of multiple visions and varied voices makes Spain a palpable presence. It's a collection that presents each contribution with distinction-and insodoing rewards the reader as well."-Newsweek

"Lucy McCauley has done a remarkable job in Travelers' Tales Spain, distilling the essence of the country's spirit and sensuality. Her selections of essays-deliciously attended with numerous tidbits and anecdotes-are judicious, far-flung, and comprehensive. This book is a literary travel adventure, embracing the heart of Spain in all its beauty and mystery. Travelers' Tales Spain is a marvelous reading experience, which is almost as good as being there-but not quite. Like the best travel books, this one will inspire you to go to Spain and see it for yourself."-Ploughshares

Rating:
Summary: Better than a visit
Review: Having lived in Spain many years ago and visited several times since, I found this book to be the best thing anyone can read about the country without reading all of Iberia, Hemingway, etc. More important than a guide book, this is a guide to the soul of the country.

Rating:
Summary: Better than a visit
Review: Having lived in Spain many years ago and visited several times since, I found this book to be the best thing anyone can read about the country without reading all of Iberia, Hemingway, etc. More important than a guide book, this is a guide to the soul of the country.

Rating:
Summary: I really enjoyed this book, it was a great read!
Review: I highly recommend this book. You learn a lot about Spain, and it's people from it. It's a great read! makes you want to visit Spain.

Rating:
Summary: better than nothing
Review: The book consists of 47 essays by different authors, each essay an average of 9 pages long, where the author gives their anecdotal story or insight. And then there is another 20 pages at the end of the "what to know when you travel there" stuff.

It is a great idea for a book, and a you should read it if going to Spain, but I just wish they had used better authors. Nothing from Hemingway, Washington Irving, nothing from the Spaniards themselves like Cervantes and Lorca. The writing seems too modern, not deep or funny or penetrating enough: Not up to the task at hand. Although the writing is OK, there must be better insights written than these. This could have been a better book.